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June 23, 2015

Vegan Lentil Walnut Tacos with Cashew Cream

Taco Tuesday?! Or…tacos every day!! Yes, please! These are guilt free, tasty, FULL of healthy goodness, vegan, all natural… need I go on? I also find it hilarious that the “meat” on this taco actually LOOKS like taco meat. Yet another added bonus.

I found the original recipe on Oh She Glows, and basically used the same recipe, but different lentils, and I added a few things. Feel free to add onions – I only use green onions, but you can add onions into the peppers/garlic mix too. Also, the cashew cream is in place of sour cream, and is REALLY good. You can use it a lot of other ways as well, so make it! I used Oh She Glow’s exact recipe, and the link is below as well as the recipe.

This is one meatless recipe where you won’t miss the meat!! Delish!

Ingredients:

FOR THE LENTIL-WALNUT MEAT (MAKES 2 1/2 CUPS):

1 cup pre-cooked lentils from Trader Joe’s

1 cup walnut pieces, toasted

1-2 garlic cloves minced

1 cup of mushrooms diced

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, or to taste

pepper to taste

1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil

2 tablespoons water

FOR THE TOPPINGS/WRAPS:

1-2 bell peppers, thinly sliced (I used one, but next time I will use 2 for ample leftovers)

Cashew Sour Cream (see below for link)

Diced tomatoes or salsa

Green onion & fresh lime juice, for garnish

lettuce wraps (large romaine, Iceburg, or Butter lettuce leaves)

Other topping options: Sliced avocado, hot sauce, cilantro, etc.

Directions:

Toast the walnuts: Preheat oven to 300F. Add walnuts onto a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 10-13 minutes, watching closely, until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Heat a pan over medium heat and add in 1-2 tbs of oil. Add the garlic in. When it becomes translucent, then add the peppers and mushrooms. Cook the garlic and peppers over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, reducing heat if necessary and stirring frequently, until cooked through.

Prepare the taco meat: Add 1 3/4 cups cooked lentils (you’ll have some leftover) and all the toasted walnuts into a food processor and pulse until chopped (make sure to leave texture). Stir or pulse in the oregano, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir in the oil and the water until combined.

Assemble: Add a large lettuce leaf onto a plate, top with taco meat, sauteed peppers + mushrooms, and the rest of your desired toppings.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in sealed containers to be enjoyed the next couple days. The cashew cream will keep for at least a week in the fridge. Use sour cream leftovers on sandwiches, wraps, stirred into salad dressings, on vegan nachos, or with chili or soup.